Strategic Compliance Manager | Hybrid | Full Time | Sandhurst | £46,040

About the Role

The Ministry of Defence is hiring a Strategic Compliance Manager to join the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, known as DIO.

This is a permanent role. It is based in Sandhurst or Andover, with the location to be discussed at interview.

You will help make sure the Defence estate across the South East Region and Private Finance Initiatives is safe, compliant and fit for purpose.

The role focuses on statutory and mandatory Compliance. You will support delivery teams, work with industry partners and help manage risk.

You will lead work in one of six key Compliance areas:

• Fuels
• Fire
• Gas
• Electrical
• Asbestos
• Legionella

This is a high-trust role. Compliance failures can carry safety, financial and reputational risks. So yes, rather more serious than a missing spreadsheet tab, which is apparently the modern workplace’s idea of danger.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead Compliance work: Provide oversight in one specialist area, such as fire, gas, asbestos or legionella.
• Check standards: Help ensure the Defence estate meets legal, MOD and DIO Compliance rules.
• Give technical advice: Support site teams and regional delivery teams.
• Manage risk: Identify, assess and reduce strategic Compliance risks.
• Lead assurance: Carry out reviews, audits and performance checks.
• Monitor partners: Check that industry partners meet contract duties.
• Support governance: Attend review meetings and technical discussions.
• Report clearly: Provide accurate Compliance updates for senior leaders and boards.
• Use policy well: Help apply MOD and DIO policy, guidance and instructions.
• Drive action: Support corrective action when non-compliance is found.
• Build links: Work with internal teams, customers, specialists and partners.
• Develop teams: Mentor site and regional teams to strengthen Compliance culture.
• Support works: Help with Compliance needs across planned works, ad hoc works and future estate programmes.
• Keep records: Support audit needs, sound records and proper financial control.

About You

You will need strong judgement and clear decision-making skills.

You should be able to work with senior stakeholders, delivery teams and industry partners. You will also need to influence people without always having direct line management control. A classic workplace puzzle, because apparently influence is now a job skill and not just what toddlers do with biscuits.

You will need:

• Compliance experience: Experience in strategic Compliance or assurance.
• Risk skills: Strong risk management and decision-making experience.
• Stakeholder skills: Ability to work with a wide range of people.
• Technical focus: Confidence working in a specialist Compliance area.
• Leadership: Ability to guide others and support a strong Compliance culture.
• Communication: Clear written and verbal communication skills.
• Driving licence: A full UK driving licence, as site visits are required and some sites are not accessible by public transport.

Desirable experience includes:

• Audit or assurance: Experience in audit, assurance or review work.
• Contract management: Experience working with suppliers or contracts.
• Building knowledge: Knowledge of statutory building processes, regulations and Compliance requirements.
• Specialist knowledge: Technical expertise in fuels, fire, gas, electrical, asbestos or legionella Compliance.

You will be assessed against Civil Service behaviours, including:

• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Making Effective Decisions
• Changing and Improving

What Ministry of Defence Offers

The Ministry of Defence offers a Civil Service role with strong benefits and a clear public purpose.

Benefits include:

• Salary: £46,040.
• Pension: Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension, with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
• Employer pension contribution: £13,337 towards pension membership.
• Flexible working: Flexible working options, where business needs allow.
• Working pattern: Full-time, part-time, flexible working or job share.
• Learning and development: Training tailored to your role.
• Inclusive culture: A workplace that supports inclusion and diversity.
• Public service impact: A role that helps keep the Defence estate safe and fit for use.
• Veterans initiative: This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.

Where business needs allow, some roles may use a mix of office and home working. Office-based staff are expected to spend at least 60% of working time in the office, subject to site capacity and any workplace adjustments.

Please note:

• No relocation expenses: Relocation costs are not offered.
• Probation: New external recruits to the Civil Service will have a six-month probation period.
• No visa sponsorship: This role is not open to applicants who need Skilled Worker visa sponsorship.
• Security checks: The successful candidate must pass security checks.
• Interview travel: Travel costs for interviews will not be paid.

How to Apply

Apply through the Civil Service Jobs website before 11:55 pm on Friday 22 May 2026.

You will need to provide:

• CV details: Including job history, qualifications, skills and experience.
• Personal statement: Up to 750 words.
• Behaviour examples: The application will assess Leadership, Seeing the Big Picture, and Changing and Improving.

At interview, you may be assessed on:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service
• Making Effective Decisions
• Career history and experience

Contact for job queries:

Colin Streater
Email: colin.strater100@mod.gov.uk

Recruitment team:

Email: DBSCivPers-ResourcingTeam3@mod.gov.uk

Application Tips

Use clear examples from your Compliance, assurance or risk experience. Show how you have managed risk, led improvement, worked with partners and influenced senior stakeholders. Keep your personal statement focused. Link your examples to the six Compliance areas where you can. Make your full UK driving licence easy to find, because burying key facts in an application is how humans turn recruitment into an escape room.